"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." -T.S. Eliot

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Still awaiting official results, but initial reports indicate that Allegra Parisi took the overall amateur title and placed well within the top 10 overall (including pros) at Cancun 70.3

This race is run under brutal conditions, and I hear that temps reached 100+ degrees with HIGH humidity.

If Allegra did in fact take the "W" this would be the 2nd overall amateur 70.3 victory turned in by one of my women so far this year. Couple that fact with the flurry of podium and overall victories that the ladies have been turning in this year, and I think it's safe to say that the "girls" have been showing the guys HOW IT'S DONE in '09! I can't wait for the official results.

In CT, Evan Barry finished 2nd overall at the "hillacious" Nutmeg Half Ironman! This was a great result for Evan and I couldn't be happier with the way he raced (rolling the dice and going for the win vs. playing things conservatively).

Down in VA, Dave Smith and Joel Myers tore it up, going 1st and 4th overall/respectively in a pretty competitive short course event. Dave's power was just through the roof today and he was solid on all 3 fronts. Thing are looking very, very good as we gear up for Clearwater.

Speaking of which, Michelle and I booked our tickets today. We'll have a small army racing in Clearwater Beach this year and I expect GREAT things! I'm really looking forward to supporting everyone and watching the action unfold.

Update on Allegra as soon as results are posted.

9/21 Update: Official Cancun 70.3 results are in and looks like Allegra was actually 2nd overall amateur (a woman in the AG above her beat her out, time wise, by 2 min!) and 8th woman overall including pros. Not too shabby!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

I'm feeling too lazy to post anything about my race today, so check out Michelle's blog if you'd like the story (and some pics!)

I had a good day, but what I'm super pumped about was the day that a bunch of my athletes had, both at Pumpkinman and across the country!

For starters... Crystal won (again) and is quickly emerging as a tremendous force to be reckoned with here in New England. She LAID IT DOWN on the bike, putting 8 - 10 minutes into her main competition on that leg. Since it was an out and back run course, I had a front row seat to the "C-Rock" show and she most certainly rocked the house.

Dawn and Greg Guarriello had great days, with Dawn taking home a new PR for the Half distance and Greg following suit. One of my newest athletes, Maris DiTolla also landed herself a nice 20 min. PR so that was pretty cool too! I can't wait to see how all three of these athletes do at IMFL in about 2 months time!

Franco Zuccoli took home an AG win at the Pman sprint on Saturday. This was Franco's 2nd AG win this season. Not bad for a former MMA fighter!

Out in New York, Dereck Treadwell placed 2nd overall in the "Toughman" 1/2 IM (and tells me that it was the HARDEST course he's ever taken on).

Dave Smith took 3rd overall in an Olympic distance event down in VA. He's certainly on track for a great performance in Clearwater.

Allegra Parisi was second overall at a sprint tri (tune up for Cancun 70.3 in 1 week's time!!!) in Miami on Saturday.

And last but not least, Quinn Borchard and Scott Hersey had solid races out in CA. Both of these fellas threw up some solid numbers and will be ready to roll at Clearwater as well.

A big "hats off" to RD Kat Donatello for the OUTSTANDING job she did with this year's Pumpkinman Triathlon Festival. If you haven't raced at Pumpkinman, yet, you have MISSED OUT. Full on Thanksgiving Dinner post race? Awesome course? Incredibly helpful volunteers? What more could you ask for? Nice work Kat!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Sometimes, things just don't go your way. This was one of those days... Got lost 3 times on the course while leading the race, the 3rd time being strike #3 (DNF/Walk back to transition after running 1/2 mile in the wrong direction). Usually helps when the RD at least has arrows out there on the run course, but volunteers who know which way to send you always helps as well.

Oh well...

In the end, it's not life and death, so I'll do my best to put today aside and move on. I read an article about a Marine Unit fighting in Afghanistan yesterday that puts days like today into complete perspective. This one is definitely worth a read and will remind you about what some people face on a daily basis and, what they give up. We complain about a bad workout or race while 21 year olds are losing their lives out in some dusty, lonely corner of the Earth.

In happier news, Crystal won!!! I'm very happy for her. Great to watch her continue to improve...

Friday, September 4, 2009

Thanks to the efforts of Gloucester based triathletes Peter Justice, Joe Borge and Lou Perry, Cape Ann now boasts its very own triathlon club!

The club is in the earliest stages of development, but great things are already happening here. We're looking forward to creating a first rate support network for multisport athletes of all ages and ability levels and hope that you'll join us in this endeavor.

More to come over the course of Fall '09/Winter '10, but stay tuned on the club's developments by checking in on the club website